Rutherfordton council adopts resolution for mutual aid

RUTHERFORDTON— Rutherfordton Town Council adopted a resolution between the towns of Spindale and Rutherfordton authorizing automatic mutual aid for structure fires during their regular meeting on Wednesday.

Rutherfordton Fire Chief Tommy Blanton and Spindale Fire Chief Billy Conner have been discussing the need for personnel dispatch during structure fires. Because of the difficulty in assuring a sufficient number of firefighters are on the scene of that type of fire, both chiefs are requested am automatic mutual aid dispatch when responding to them.

“This is an issue of manpower and immediate need in the first few minutes of the fire. This has become an issue for everybody. If we do this, we can respond quicker and have more people there in those first minutes,” Blanton. “This will limit fatigue on our people and will take care of the fire quicker. We are going to set some dates for joint training so that we can work together better.”

Mayor Jimmy Dancy said he would approve this as a way for the towns to work together.

“I can’t think of a better way to work together than when it comes to everyone’s safety,” Dancy said.

The resolution will not take effect until the Spindale Town Board approves it.

The council also approved the 2011-12 audit. During the November council meeting, Bronwyn Burleson, CPA with Burleson & Earley PA presented the 2011-12 audit findings. The audit shows the town is financially sound and the CPA firm issued an unqualified opinion.

They then approved an

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ordinance pertaining to the “Repair, Closing and Demolition of Unfit Dwellings and Abandoned Structures.” They voted to move another ordinance pertaining to the moving or demolition of buildings to next month’s meeting.

Frankie and John McWhorter were honored as the volunteers of the month for all of the work they put in during the town’s 225th Anniversary Celebration.

The next time the council meets will be for a workshop at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 26. During this workshop, they will be discussing the Bechtler House rental, use of the Woodrow Jones Building, space at the Norris Library and a variety of other topics.